im done jacking around with ph problems

[driftersmokinjo]

i've got several grows under my belt some turned out fantastic and others kinda suffered a little. my biggest problem has been with ph (im a dirt farmer)my tap water changes so much it is hard to keep up with. i have used the drop test kits with varied success over the years and have tried a few different ways to adjust the ph of my water. im at the point of disgust with this round. tap water has been jumping around from 7.5 to 8.5 all summer. i do let my water stand for a day or 2 before using it to make an attempt at cooking off some of the junk the water co. dumps in. i also run the water through a filter on my faucet.(not r/o) i am looking in to purchasing a ph meter and some up and down. my test drops work ok but i need to check run off. i have looked at a lot of meters and read some reviews and it seems most like the oakton meters. funds are tight but i dont like wasting money on junk just to save a few bux. this is not a thread about the best meters or any thing like that and please no bickering over meters. just your opinion on what you have used. thanks and happy growing:hippy:

driftersmokinjo Reviewed by driftersmokinjo on 10-25-2010. im done jacking around with ph problems i've got several grows under my belt some turned out fantastic and others kinda suffered a little. my biggest problem has been with ph (im a dirt farmer)my tap water changes so much it is hard to keep up with. i have used the drop test kits with varied success over the years and have tried a few different ways to adjust the ph of my water. im at the point of disgust with this round. tap water has been jumping around from 7.5 to 8.5 all summer. i do let my water stand for a day or 2 before using Rating: 5

[WashougalWonder]

Interesting, you have issues with water PH changes also.....Mine varies anywhere from 5 to7.5 after a 24 hour sit. I RO to remove iron, so no junk to worry about. I find that my changes occur the greatest when the weather dumps a bunch of rain. I do not know why and I have not talked to the city as no need to enact red flags.

I have in the past damaged my plants from these changes. BUT, the good old drop test kit keeps me in the safe range and costs a minimal amount. Those fancy PH things concern me as to how long they may or may not function properly. I have adapted to the drop kit and it works for me.....I am such a fan of the KISS methodology too.

[EvilCartman]

i have looked at a lot of meters and read some reviews and it seems most like the oakton meters. funds are tight but i dont like wasting money on junk just to save a few bux. this is not a thread about the best meters or any thing like that and please no bickering over meters. just your opinion on what you have used. thanks and happy growing:hippy:

My first meter was the cheapest Hanna model, I think it was called the "champ", not sure on the name. It was kind of a pain in the ass, had to calibrate it frequently. When the electrode needed replacing I figured I'd check out a different brand.

Picked up an Oakton "eco Testr/pH2", much better than that frickin' Hanna. The Oakton is a joy. After the initial calibration, the darn thing is just spot-on. Been using it for a couple months now and it has never _needed_ recalibration. Every time I've checked it against the buffer, it's been perfect. :thumbsup:

I'm real happy with the Oakton, so far, and it was only around $80 bucks. The guy at the hydro store recommended it, even though I was looking at some of the higher-priced meters.

[headshake]

My first meter was the cheapest Hanna model, I think it was called the "champ", not sure on the name. It was kind of a pain in the ass, had to calibrate it frequently. When the electrode needed replacing I figured I'd check out a different brand.

Picked up an Oakton "eco Testr/pH2", much better than that frickin' Hanna. The Oakton is a joy. After the initial calibration, the darn thing is just spot-on. Been using it for a couple months now and it has never _needed_ recalibration. Every time I've checked it against the buffer, it's been perfect. :thumbsup:

I'm real happy with the Oakton, so far, and it was only around $80 bucks. The guy at the hydro store recommended it, even though I was looking at some of the higher-priced meters.

i have the oakton eco Testr/pH1, same thing as the 2, only difference is that the 2 has automatic temperature calibration...and costs $15 more.

milwaukee makes solid meters as well.


-shake

[driftersmokinjo]

thanks for the replys fellas. im gona order an oakton. havent read anything bad about them so far.

[driftersmokinjo]

my new oakton is on the way. got the kit buffer / solution kit for 115 shipped to my door. here is the link if anyone is interested. Oakton EcoTestr pH 2 Tester - instrumart.com

[khyberkitsune]

As a side note, RO water + nutes typicaly brings your pH right down to where it should be. RO water starts out at 7 and will bond EASILY with anything added.

[driftersmokinjo]

maybe 1 day i will step up my game to the point i can justify the r/o system. but for now i will just use my cheapo filter and stay on top of my ph..

[MEDEDCANNABIS]

assuming your not growing a lot, just buy r/o water from the store.

[driftersmokinjo]

got my oakton ph2 today. after conditioning and calibrating the meter i checked my tap water and not to my surprise it was 8.4as soon as the lights come on im gona check my run off and see what i come out with. i thinking i should use 7.0 water to run through. or should i run it straight and see what happens in the soil ?